Metallica’s Kirk Hammett Wants a Solo Album

Metallica guitarist Kirk Hammett has revealed to Metal Hammer that he would like to pursue a solo album "when it feels right."

“I have so much material sitting around that’s obviously not Metallica stuff, and that pile gets bigger and bigger. One of these days when it feels right…” he said. “I still feel I have so much to give Metallica. When that feels more complete, maybe I’ll think about doing that other stuff.”

He continued, “It would not look like a metal album at all. It’ll be something so weird and far-ranging in styles, but cohesive at the same time. I wouldn’t be surprised if all of us did some solo, independent, autonomous sort of thing. I think it’s healthy, and if anything, when you come back to the band you’d come back with more enthusiasm. It’d feel like going on a little camping trip, and it’s always good to come back home to a nice warm bed!”

In 2015 Hammett revealed that he had lost an iPhone with over 250 riff ideas on it, so it's no surprise that he has enough material for a solo venture. "I was crushed," he said at the time. "It didn't get backed up. And when it happened, I was bummed out for about two or three days. I walked into the house. My wife saw me and she said, 'Uh-oh, what's wrong? Did you get a phone call from a relative?' I said, 'No.' She said, 'What's going on?' I told her, and she understood. I lost [the phone]. I just plain lost it. I can't find it. I'm still looking for it to this day."

Would you like to see Hammett release a solo album? Or would you like to see him focus on Metallica? Leave us a comment with your thoughts.